While France held the presidency of the UN Security Council in April, Mali filed a formal complaint against Algeria, accusing it of shooting down its drone in Tinzaoutène.
This represents a diplomatic and security escalation amid regional tensions.
The incident occurred during the night of March 31 to April 1, 2025, in Tinzaouatene, in the Kidal region.
In a letter to the Security Council dated April 7 from Malian ambassador Issa Konfourou, the Malian government described the destruction of the Akinci drone, registration number TZ_98D, as a “deliberate aggression by the Algerian regime” and requested that its statement be recorded
as an official document of the Council.
On April 8, the prosecutor of the Specialized Judicial Unit, Amadou Bocar Touré, opened an
investigation into acts of terrorism, criminal conspiracy, illegal possession of weapons of war, terrorist financing, and complicity in connection with the incident.
The day before, the two countries announced the reciprocal closure of their airspace.
Algeria accuses Mali of repeated violations of its airspace in August and December 2024, while Bamako says Algiers backs armed groups in the north of the country, a charge the Algerian government denies.
The ambassadors of both countries have since been recalled, further straining bilateral relations. In solidarity with Mali, the Alliance of Sahel States recalled its ambassadors to Algiers, prompting the
Algerian authorities to take similar action against the bloc.
The diplomatic crisis also had immediate consequences for air transport. Air Algérie flights to Bamako, scheduled to resume last December was suspended due to airspace restrictions.
This complaint also comes amid growing tensions between Mali and France, which currently holds the presidency of the UN Security Council.
Relations between Bamako and Paris have deteriorated for several years.
In May 2022, Mali broke off its military ties with former colonial power France, ending cooperation that included Operations Serval and Barkhane against jihadist groups.
AC/Sf/fss/as/APA